September 05, 2011

Buehler might be more than kickoff specialist

The Cowboys have two kickers, and they plan on using both. Rookie Dan Bailey will get most of the field-goal work in practice, but David Buehler isn't only the kickoff specialist.

"The initial thought is [Bailey] is going to handle most of the field goals and the extra points," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "[Buehler] will get some work in some situations as a field-goal kicker. Dan will get most of the work in that area."

Buehler, who was only 24 of 32 on field goals and missed two extra points in 2010 in his first season in that role, will continue to work on field goals in practice. He could be used on long field goals, having gone 8-of-11 from 40-49 yards, 4-of-6 from 50 and beyond last season. Buehler also could find work on the other special teams. He was used on returns and in punt coverage in his rookie season when he was the kickoff specialist.

“He’s a very good athlete and has embraced that role in the past,” Garrett said of special teams. “We’ll work him into that. He has not done a lot of that up to this point, we’ll see how he acclimates himself to doing that stuff again. We’ll give him the opportunity.”

Buehler has 51 touchbacks in his two seasons, which is what kept him on the roster despite kickoffs being moved from the 30 to the 35-yard line.